Interior Roads (IR) quality manager Phil Doddridge recently provided an outlook on the winter road maintenance season to the South Cariboo Joint Planning Committee (SCJPC).
The committee, which consists of Cariboo Regional District area directors and District of 100 Mile House mayor and councillors, got a preview of what is in store for area roads and highways this winter.
“We started ordering salt in July, so we know our salt shed has a reasonable amount of salt in it,” said Doddridge. “I looked at our sheds, and we are about a one-quarter full here, and the 106 [Mile] has a ‘ton’ of it.”
He explained IR uses Arrow Transportation Systems as a transporter of the salt.
“We get our salt from South America. Just so you know; it’s a long process.”
Area H Director Margo Wagner questioned the need for imported salt. “What’s the matter with Saskatchewan salt?”
Replied Doddridge: “Saskatchewan salt is a lot finer salt. As soon as you apply it, it tends to blow off the highway. So, for road salt, there is actually a gradation, and you want to be looking at a certain size of salt, and the best stuff seems to come from South America.”
The Winter Awareness workshop held for IR staff on Oct. 21 refreshed ploughing practices, training, equipment handling and further safe driving instruction, Doddridge said, adding this includes getting in and out of vehicles and working in and around the streets in 100 Mile House in non-hazardous manner.
“[We are] trying not to plough snow onto people as they are walking down the sidewalks,” he added with a chuckle.
“In the past, we’ve had some extremely good co-ordination with the District. Last year, we had three graders running downtown peeling ice, and … the district had someone immediately waiting for us to go by, and then they started ploughing on the sidewalks. So, that was really good.”
On garbage day in areas, such as 108 Mile Ranch, the trash cans can get ploughed into the ditch in winter if they are left at the curb rather than pulled back in a bit to allow room for snow clearing, he explained.
Doddridge noted the garbage collection company has also been asked to place the empty cans back off the road after a recent snowfall.
Area G Director Al Richmond asked when the IR night shifts begin, to which Doddridge replied they are now underway.
Mayor Mitch Campsall asked if IR is ready for winter.
“Last year, that first week was pretty rough,” the mayor said. “After that, it was ‘how come 100 Mile is so good and everybody else is so bad this year?’ Because, notoriously, we’ve been the worst [along Cariboo Highway 97].
“But, that changed last year, and I’ll tell you it was sure appreciated by the people in this community.”
Campsall said he’d like to see that “good system” continue through this winter.
Doddridge replied IR has a mandate for providing quality road maintenance throughout the season, which is reinforced at the provincial level.
“The Ministry of Transportation’s expectation is that we will come out ‘all barrels blazing’. And, that has always been pleasantly put forward at the [BC Road Builders’ Annual Fall Conference], by the premier or the minister. They express their opinion of what they want to see – and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
He noted IR has placed a large, electric sign board on Highway 97 in town flashing the www.shiftintowinter.ca website address where folks can find safe winter driving tips.
“You can go to that website and … print off some information and give it to people in your area.”
Doddridge said IR also has a toll free number (1-800-842-4122) and its answering service has not changed this year.
“If you call anytime of the day or night, if you have an issue, they [can] get a truck on the road and have that issue addressed.
“We have a list of priorities, so we may not get to it immediately, depending on what else we have going.”
Area L Director Bruce Rattray thanked Doddridge for his efforts, and for making a similar presentation at his area’s recent CRD town-hall meeting.
